Good Soldier

At first glance, I thought this show was going to be one of those poorly produced crud-fests designed to sell cheap advertising and fill space that can't even be sold to infomercials. I am happy to say I was wrong -- very wrong.

While the show is "light drama," it strikes chords of human emotion; characters' motivations, while both clear and obvious, run deeper than fluff. Concepts like sacrifice, honor, duty, family, and friendship flow under the lighter and brighter dialogue and character interaction. Somehow, the show has a feel both as light as an "A-Team" and as serious as any drama. It's Mitch Rapp at his most smart-aleck times. In the balance of light and heavy, it is a lot like a "Magnum, P.I.," and the primary characters have a depth of interaction that approaches that earlier show's level.
Watch one episode for the bright and colorful camera work, the sexy and scantily-clad scenery, and some action and interaction. Or, watch the season for all that plus some much deeper arcs and character development. Either way, I don't think you will be disappointed unless you are looking for a documentary on espionage.

What can I say? At age 41 this is only the second TV series I've dug deep and spent good money on! (The first was the first year of Miami Vice on DVD.) I love the characters, multiple simultaneous plot interactions, and occassional goofiness in the middle of a serious situation.

And did I mention the Westin family in dysfunction? A million laughs with an occassional tear. Very well done guys, I may just show up the next time I'm in Miami to get autographs.

This is one of the best shows on TV right now. When I first saw the promos on TV, I thought he was going to be the guy after spies to issue the Burn Notice. How could that play out over several shows?
But, I watched the pilot and WOW! Jeffrey Donovan is one incredibly talented method actor. He gets so into the role that you believe he actually is that character. His facial expressions, sardonic laugh and smile, his ability to change his dialect and accents so realistically make him Michael Westen.
Bruce Campbell and Gabrielle Anwar are the perfect "sidekicks" for him. He is like the adult with two teenagers (they are silly, slightly immature, tease each other); yet they have talents too. Bruce especially is great - funny and fits the role perfectly.
I have since rented "Believe in Me" a movie Jeffrey Donovan starred in a few years ago and once again, he was incredible. I am surprised he was not recognized for the role. And again, he was so bleivble in that role, it was hard for me to not think of him as really being Clay Driscoll.
I can't wait for the second season (the first one has already been on). I am so saddened that the seasons are so short! Jeffrey Donovan sould be exploding on the TV/Movie market with the talent he posesses.

I really like this program. I have no reason to back it up... just personal preference. I think Bruce Campbell is just right for his role.

I absolutely love this show. I think the casting is perfect. I've always liked Bruce Campbell, Jeffrey (sp) Donovan, and Sharon Gless. I like the voice-overs; what wonderful things we can learn from them! The story lines are great. I can't wait for this show's summer return.

Saturday, March 29th, 2008